DOLPHIN SCIENCE

Key Questions: How are cetaceans structured, and how did they evolve?
Technological Approaches: Genome sequencing, eDNA analysis, morphometric studies.

This field allows scientists to understand dolphin origins, their adaptation to aquatic environments, and the genetic diversity across species. Genome sequencing reveals disease resistance, while eDNA analysis (environmental DNA) enables species detection from microscopic traces in seawater.

Key Questions: How complex are their thinking, memory, and self-awareness?
Technological Approaches: Cognitive testing, problem-solving experiments, observation of social learning.

Research demonstrates that dolphins possess highly developed intelligence, capacity for empathy, and even self-recognition. Scientists design tests that measure abstract thinking and learning capacity across different species and populations.

Key Questions: How does their "language" and echolocation system work?
Technological Approaches: Hydrophone arrays, signal analysis algorithms, recognition experiments.

Dolphins use complex sound systems for communication and navigation. Networks of underwater microphones combined with machine learning enable researchers to decode signal structure, identify individual "dialects," and track social interactions in real time.

Key Questions: How are their families, friendships, and cultures structured?
Technological Approaches: Photo-identification, long-term monitoring, social network analysis.

Dolphins live in intricate social hierarchies, transmit knowledge across generations, and develop their own cultural traditions. Long-term studies, sometimes spanning decades, reveal alliance formation, social hierarchies, and even mourning behavior.

Key Questions: How do ocean changes affect them, and how can we protect them?
Technological Approaches: Satellite tagging, pollution monitoring, population dynamics assessment.

This field bridges cetacean science with broader issues of climate change, pollution, and resource depletion. Satellite tags track migrations and identify critical habitats requiring protection.

Research Focus: Ecology of Black Sea species, acoustics, impact of maritime traffic and noise pollution.
Key Organizations and Projects: Institute of Oceanology (Russian Academy of Sciences), Karadag Biological Station, Primorsky Aquarium, Black Sea monitoring programs.

The Black Sea is a unique enclosed body of water where dolphin populations face exceptional stressors. Russian scientists focus on understanding anthropogenic noise effects and developing non-invasive health monitoring methods for populations.

Research Focus: Acoustic monitoring, cognitive science, noise pollution and climate change impacts.
Key Organizations and Projects: NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Dolphin Research Centers, university laboratories (University of Hawaii, University of California).

North American researchers conduct some of the most comprehensive and long-term studies of dolphin cognitive abilities and develop technologies for monitoring marine mammals in

Research Focus: Long-term studies of social structures, tool use, behavioral ecology.
Key Organizations and Projects: Shark Bay Project (one of the longest-running, since 1984), University of Western Australia, research stations throughout the Indian Ocean region.

Australian scientists study bottlenose populations that demonstrate unique cultural traditions, including the use of sea sponges as tools. These studies have become classics in understanding animal culture.

Research Focus: Behavioral ecology, climate and industrial fishery impacts, interaction programs, species protection.
Key Organizations and Projects: Research in Iceland (orca and bottlenose populations), United Kingdom (e.g., Sea Watch Foundation, Whale and Dolphin Conservation), Mediterranean region research centers.

European researchers actively develop conservation strategies for endangered species and design marine protected areas based on scientific data about migration routes and critical habitats.

Research Focus: Population monitoring, migratory species conservation, coordinated protection policies.
Key Organizations and Projects: International Whaling Commission (IWC) and its scientific committees, ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic Area), UNEP, UN ocean programs.

These platforms enable data sharing between nations and coordinate global efforts to protect species migrating through international waters.

Drones and UAVs: Aerial footage for population surveys, behavior observation, assessment of animal condition. Drones enable high-quality imagery without disturbing animals.
Hydrophones and Acoustic Buoys: Ocean listening for communication study, migration route mapping, detection of rare or localized populations. Hydrophone networks operate continuously, collecting 24/7 acoustic data.
Satellite Tags and Trackers: Migration tracking across thousands of kilometers, deep-sea behavior monitoring, identification of critical habitats. Modern tags include pressure sensors, thermometers, and accelerometers.

eDNA (Environmental DNA): Species detection from microscopic DNA traces in water — a revolution in monitoring. This method detects rare or elusive species without direct contact.
Photo-Identification: "Passport" identification of dolphins by unique markings on dorsal fins, scars, and coloration patterns. Enables tracking individual dolphins' lives across years and decades.
Respiratory Vapor Analysis: Non-invasive assessment of hormonal status, stress levels, and overall health through analysis of exhaled air and water vapor.

Machine Learning: Automated decoding of acoustic signals, identification of behavioral patterns, species classification from photo and video materials. Algorithms improve with each new dataset analyzed.
Cloud Databases and Digital Platforms: Integration of millions of data points from research centers worldwide for comprehensive analysis, identification of global trends, and population change forecasting.
Modeling and Simulation: Computer models of population behavior, pollution effects, and climate change impacts on long-term species survival.

 Scientific name, family, distinguishing features, visual differences from similar species, photo-identification examples.

Geographic distribution, preferred water depth, temperature zones, seasonal migrations.

Size, weight, coloration, social structure, typical group size, lifespan, feeding preferences, and unique abilities.

Social complexity, population-specific cultural practices, hunting methods, interactions with other species.

Current information on threats (bycatch, pollution, noise, climate change) and existing protection measures, protected areas.

Links to key and current scientific publications on the species, information about major research centers.

How people can contribute to this species' research (observation programs, photo collection).
This is a living database, continuously updated as new data and discoveries are published.

Most research relies on observation, photography, and non-invasive sampling that minimizes animal disturbance.

Researchers follow protocols limiting approach time, noise levels, and contact frequency.

 ACCOBAMS (Agreement on Cetacean Conservation), IWC (International Whaling Commission), national regulations in each country.

Encouragement of result publication and dataset sharing to accelerate conservation efforts and prevent duplication.

All platform information undergoes expert verification before publication.

From satellites and drones to neural networks and advanced computing — this is modern science at its most powerful, far beyond binoculars and field notebooks.

Scientists worldwide unite, share data, and solve common challenges within the context of a global biodiversity crisis.

Biology, acoustics, computer science, ecology, philosophy, and sociology intersect here — no single discipline can solve these questions alone.

Without precise data, without understanding how populations and ecosystems work, effective conservation policy is impossible. Every study is another building block in future ocean protection.

We present dolphins not as theme park attractions or film subjects, but as real, complex beings whose wellbeing depends on our choices.

No pretense of academicism here — only current information that inspires, educates, and motivates action.